NEWPORT NEWS, Va. (WAVY) — A free grocery store on the Peninsula is celebrating a major milestone on their one-year anniversary.
The Market at THRIVE announced on Wednesday that they have surpassed their Future for THRIVE campaign goal of $1.5 million.
“We are thrilled that the community rallied around our mission to help us surpass our goal,” Executive Director of THRIVE Peninsula Angela York said. “It shows that people on the Peninsula want to invest the future of their neighbors and their stability. It’s a reminder to our community that there are people out there who truly care about each other, and we can find hope in that.”
According to a release, the funds will go towards the renovation cost of the space, hoping to make it a debt-free charity by 2026.
The market, which opened on Nov. 20, 2023, helps to provide fresh and healthy foods on Nettles Drive. THRIVE set out to serve 25,000 shoppers within their first year, and leaders said they have already surpassed the number.
“Our first year has been wildly successful and it’s given us the chance to the creative in how we can meet the needs of the community, offering services in a way that is dignified and accessible,” York said. “The best part is that, with the generous support of this community, we have built a solid foundation for growth and we are just getting started.”
THRIVE has also launched a series of other services throughout the past year, including The Free Bookstore, The Garden at THRIVE, Project Connect and Hispanic Services.
For more information about THRIVE Peninsula and their services, click here.